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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 TOKYO 000005
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR E, P, EB, EAP/J, EAP/P, EAP/PD, PA;
WHITE HOUSE/NSC/NEC; JUSTICE FOR STU CHEMTOB IN ANTI-TRUST DIVISION;
TREASURY/OASIA/IMI/JAPAN; DEPT PASS USTR/PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
SECDEF FOR JCS-J-5/JAPAN,
DASD/ISA/EAPR/JAPAN; DEPT PASS ELECTRONICALLY TO USDA
FAS/ITP FOR SCHROETER; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR;
CINCPAC FLT/PA/ COMNAVFORJAPAN/PA.
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIPKMDRKPAOPGOVPINRECONELABJA
SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 01//08
Index:
(1) Government intends to compromise on Futenma base relocation by
moving runway 90 meters into the sea; Okinawa Prefecture, Nago City
forward looking about the plan (Yomiuri)
(2) LDP, DPJ to clash in 210 electoral districts as selection of
Lower House election candidates progresses (Asahi)
(3) LDP's factions readying for cabinet shuffle, Lower House
dissolution (Nikkei)
(4) Japan to provide $20 million for Mekong East-West Corridor
Project, countering China's advance to the south (Sankei)
(5) Former defense chief Kyuma received 100 million yen loan from
acquaintance without collateral and undisclosed (Mainichi)
ARTICLES:
(1) Government intends to compromise on Futenma base relocation by
moving runway 90 meters into the sea; Okinawa Prefecture, Nago City
forward looking about the plan
YOMIURI (Top play) (Full)
January 1, 2008
The government has firmed up its intention to revise the agreement
between the Japanese and U.S. governments in 2006 to construct an
alternate facility for the U.S. Marines' Futenma Air Station
(Ginowan City) on the shore of Camp Schwab (Nago City) in Okinawa
Prefecture by moving the proposed site approximately 90 meters
toward the sea. Okinawa Prefecture and Nago City are taking a
forward-looking stance toward accepting the proposal. With this
compromise, the possibility has emerged that the issue of Futenma's
relocation, stalled for close to 12 years since the reversion
agreement, will finally move toward resolution.
On the issue of Futenma's relocation, the former Defense Agency and
Nago City reached a basic agreement in April 2006 to construct a
V-shaped double runway on the shores of Camp Schwab. Later, Nago
City proposed that the runway be moved more than 300 meters
offshore, to which Okinawa Prefecture concurred. But the government
balked at the plan, and environmental assessment procedures have
begun with a divergence remaining between the two sides. The
government's plan calls for requesting the prefecture in August 2009
to allow land reclaiming in the neighboring waters and completing
the alternate facility in 2014.
The prefecture and Nago City requested that the runway be moved
offshore in order to lessen the noise factor and the danger of an
accident. The government was negative to the request, stating such
reasons as the need to re-coordinate any change with the U.S. side.
But since the land reclamation in the neighboring waters required
approval of the prefectural governor, a judgment was made with Chief
Cabinet Secretary Machimura taking the lead that a compromise with
the prefecture was needed.
Under the rules for implementing the environmental assessment
ordinance of Okinawa Prefecture, any major change in the plan
requires a revision of the procedures. But changes in the relocation
distance of less than 55 meters need no revision. However, the
TOKYO 00000005 002 OF 006
SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 01//08
prefecture and Nago City were both asking for an even larger
relocation. The government, in order to respond to the request of
the prefecture as best as it could, adopted a stance of considering
relocating the site as close as possible to Nagashima (island) to a
location approximately 90 meters from the original site for the
relocation.
On the issue of coordinating the change with the U.S. side, the
government takes the view: "If the relocation is approximately 90
meters, it will cause no operational problem, and cooperation can be
obtained." However, on the request for shortening the runway made by
Nago City, since the U.S. is expected to object, the government is
thinking of obtaining the understanding of the city by such
concessions as placing restrictions on the noise level during
training into the runway-use agreement to be signed.
Responding to a Yomiuri Shimbun interview on the government's plan,
Okinawa Governor Nakaima stated: "We would like to consider it,
while respecting the wishes of Nago City. Once we obtain agreement
with the central government, we have no intention of adding on any
more requests." A senior official in Nago City, too, took the view:
"If we can get a relocation of close to 100 meters, we will able to
explain the situation to the local community. On the problem of the
length of the runway, as well, we can overcome the issue by
restricting its use when signing the use agreement."
The government will listen to the views of the governor until Jan.
21 on the procedures report on the environmental assessment. In
addition, it will start its own survey. In late January, after the
governor announces his view, a meeting of the Futenma Relocation
Council consisting of the prefecture and affected local communities
will be convened (by the central government), the plan being to
obtain their understanding toward starting the environmental survey.
In tandem with such moves, the government's thinking is to consider
informally with the prefecture and the city, the government proposal
to revise the relocation plan. Possibly in March, the compromise
plan could be put on the agenda of the council. However, objections
can be expected from the reformist camp and citizens groups opposed
to the base relocation in the prefecture, so fluid elements remain
to be overcome.
(2) LDP, DPJ to clash in 210 electoral districts as selection of
Lower House election candidates progresses (Asahi)
ASAHI (Page 4) (Full)
January 1, 2008
Looking toward the next election of the House of Representatives,
every political party is now moving ahead with the selection of
prospective candidates to back. In a compilation by the Asahi
Shimbun that was current on Dec. 31, out of the 300 small election
districts, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has completed
candidate selection in over 90 PERCENT of them, and the Democratic
Party of Japan (DPJ) has informally picked close to 80 PERCENT of
its candidates. Already it is certain that candidates of the LDP and
the DPJ will directly confront one another in 219 election
districts. The Japanese Communist Party (JCP) has indicated that it
will shrink the number of candidates in the election, and this
development is likely to further turn the election into a clash
between the two major parties, the LDP and the DPJ. The LDP will now
coordinate whether to back former postal rebels who have returned to
the fold or the "assassins" (who ran against the rebels in the last
TOKYO 00000005 003 OF 006
SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 01//08
election). The DPJ will focus now on eliminating election districts
where they have no candidates and strengthening cooperation among
opposition parties.
The current tenure of the Lower House members will end in September
¶2009. Prime Minister Fukuda at the end of last year expressed his
opinion about the timing of Diet dissolution, hinting that it might
occur after the Lake Toya Summit in Hokkaido in July. However, the
thinking of the DPJ, which won a landslide victory in last July's
Upper House election, is to force Diet dissolution this spring after
the budget bill is passed.
The LDP has decided on whom to support as candidates in 280 election
districts. It is holding off backing candidates in eight districts
where there are New Komeito incumbents, such as Tokyo 12 and Osaka
¶16. The New Komeito is now coordinating who to support in Okinawa 1,
where its candidate lost in the last election. There are 11
districts where candidates to support have yet to be lined up.
However, there are still aftershocks from the previous "postal"
election. There are a total of six districts, including Gifu 1,
where incumbents include "assassin candidates" revived by the
proportional representation races. They will be pitted against
former postal rebels who were reinstated in the LDP. Party
headquarters has put off final decisions until after the New Year's
holiday. There will be about 10 districts, including Shizuoka 7,
where former LDP postal rebels will clash with LDP candidates.
The DPJ has informally picked as of the end of last year candidates
for 233 districts, but President Ozawa has hinted at the possibility
of exchanging even selected candidates for other "candidates who can
win." The selected candidates cannot let down their guards. At
present, the goal is to back candidates in 250 districts. Election
cooperation is moving ahead with the Social Democratic Party, which
has decided to back candidates in 14 districts, the People's New
Party and the New Party Japan. The strategy is to back candidates of
other parties in approximately 25 districts.
However, in Tokyo 6 and certain other districts such as Kanagawa 12,
the DPJ and the SDP are both running candidates. The division of
districts in the opposition camp is not thorough.
The JCP has changed its previous policy course of supporting
candidates in all election districts. As of the end of last year, it
had informally picked candidates to run in 123 districts. The party
is likely in the end to run candidates in about 140 districts. The
New Party Japan is considering running candidates in urban districts
where the DPJ is not running any candidates.
(3) LDP's factions readying for cabinet shuffle, Lower House
dissolution
NIKKEI (Page 2) (Excerpts)
December 31, 2007
Factions in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have begun
moving into action with an eye on the political situation once a
cabinet shuffle occurs and is followed by dissolution of the House
of Representatives and a snap election. The frenzy affects not only
the Koga and Tanigaki factions, which are now discussing a plan to
link up, but also other LDP factions are desperately recruiting
freshman lawmakers. There is also another move in the party:
TOKYO 00000005 004 OF 006
SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 01//08
influential lawmakers from various factions are now trying to
cooperate with each other. The various factions in the LDP have
previously refrained from factional activities since the Koizumi
cabinet, but subtle changes have occurred, and a leadership struggle
is likely to intensify.
Makoto Koga, chairman of the Koga faction, told reporters on Dec. 20
about a merger of his and the Tanigaki factions: "I'm deeply
concerned because former Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa most cared
about this." He indicated the possibility of his faction cooperating
also with the faction headed by Taro Aso. He then referred to a plan
to merger the three factions -- all drawn from the former Miyazawa
faction (Kochi-kai).
The plan of merger of the Koga and Tanigaki factions has created a
stir. With an eye to a cabinet shuffle in early next year, LDP
factions are making efforts to score with party members, who are now
serving in their first term in the Diet, and unaffiliated voters.
Taku Yamasaki, chairman of the Yamasaki faction, which won former
party policy chief Nobuteru Ishihara to its side, gave his faction
members a push, saying, "I want you to convince lawmakers who are
not members of the so-called Koizumi children to come over to our
faction."
Yamasaki considers Ishihara to be a presidential candidate. He
appears to be seeking to counter Economy, Trade and Industry Akira
Amari and former Secretary General Tsutomu Takebe, who have
distanced themselves from Yamasaki.
A cross-factional study group led by Shoichi Nakagawa, a member of
the Ibuki faction, has been creating an uneasy atmosphere. The group
has 14 members. It expects that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
will join it. Most members of the group are political hawks coming
from the Aso and Machimura factions. They predict they will become a
strong driving force to field Aso as a presidential candidate for
the LDP leadership race.
One senior LDP member stated: "Even if the DPJ wins or not,
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ or Minshuto) President will look for
a way to form a coalition with the LDP. We should be ready so that
we will be able to prevent such a move." There is a growing
prediction in the LDP that a political realignment will definitely
occur.
(4) Japan to provide $20 million for Mekong East-West Corridor
Project, countering China's advance to the south (Sankei)
SANKEI (Top play) (Excerpts)
January 1, 2008
The Japanese government, in the first conference of foreign
ministers from Japan and the five Mekong countries to be held in
Tokyo on Jan. 16, will announce non-reimbursable financial
cooperation of $20 million (approximately 2.3 billion yen) to
construct a transport net in the East-West Corridor, which crosses
the five Mekong-area countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Burma (Myanmar),
Cambodia, and Laos). Since China, which is contiguous to this
region, is constructing a North-South Corridor, which will consist
of a main artery running north to south and backed by China's
economic strength, Japan's intention is to counter China's move
south by introducing its own assistance that aims at rebuilding its
Southeast Asian diplomacy.
TOKYO 00000005 005 OF 006
SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 01//08
The East-West Road Corridor Project that Japan will assist consists
of the east-west corridor portion (approximately 1,450 kilometers)
and the Second East-West Road Corridor Project (approximately 1,000
kilometers) that will link Thailand and Cambodia. The CLV countries
(Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam), carry out the role of an economic
pulse on the continent among the ASEAN countries in support of
ASEAN's goal of economic integration. The needs of these three
countries for infrastructure are great.
Approximately 1,300 Japanese-affiliated companies have advanced into
Thailand, which is the key state in the Mekong region. If Thailand
is linked to Cambodia and Laos by the East-West Corridor Project,
Japanese companies also would receive great benefits, such as the
construction of a second wave of factories in those two countries,
where wages are still one-fifth of that in Thailand.
The planned assistance will be offered as a grant from the
Japan-ASEAN Integrated Fund, created in 2006 and financed fully by
Japan. The aid will be newly readied in time for announcement at the
Japan-Mekong countries foreign ministerial conference.
(5) Former defense chief Kyuma received 100 million yen loan from
acquaintance without collateral and undisclosed (Mainichi)
MAINICHI (Top play) (Full)
January 1, 2008
It has been learned that former Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma
received in Jan 2006, when he was chairman of the Liberal Democratic
Party's General Council, 100 million yen from a male acquaintance
(64) from Tsuruga City in Fukui Prefecture. Although Kyuma and the
acquaintance, responding to the Mainichi's request for interview,
admitted there was a "lender-borrower relationship" between them,
the transaction was carried out without collateral. In his assets
disclosure after he became director general of the then Defense
Agency (in Sept. 2006), Kyuma never recorded the 100 million yen
that he had received, so there is suspicion that he violated the
code of standards for cabinet ministers.
The male acquaintance is the father of the president of OTI
(Taito-ku, Tokyo), a company that sells social-welfare equipment,
worked as an auditor at OTI. According to that person, he was asked
in 2005 by Kyuma, an old acquaintance, to finance a land purchase
for him. For that purpose, around November, he managed to arrange
the transaction by having OTI borrow the money from a bank and
sub-lend it to him. He handed over the entire amount to Kyuma in
Jan. 2006. He received from Kyuma an I.O.U., but there was no
collateral provided for the loan. Kyuma admitted to the Mainichi on
Dec. 30 that he had received the 300 million yen, saying, "The
contract calls for repayment over three years. As of now, I have
repaid around 18 to 25 million yen." Regarding interest, Kyuma would
only say, "It is written down in the I.O.U." He would not reveal the
exact interest.
As for the details, he gave a different account than his male
acquaintance: "Although I made a commitment to buy the real estate
that a man was selling, I decided to cancel it, and purchase it
instead on my own." He said that the remaining 85 million yen of the
100 million yen loan would be borrowed from "Aimek" (TN: phonetic)
(Shinjuku-ku), a company that provided military, political, and
economic information. He would use that money to buy the property.
TOKYO 00000005 006 OF 006
SUBJECT: DAILY SUMMARY OF JAPANESE PRESS 01//08
Under the Funds Disclosure Law, Diet members are required to submit
an assets report, which includes any money borrowed under one's own
name. The code for cabinet minister's is an expanded one, requiring
not only the name of the minister but spouses and other relatives to
be included in the disclosure report. Kyuma in his disclosure report
dated Nov. 2, 2006, did not list the 100 million yen, but only
stated borrowings of 38.0837 million yen. Kyuma explained: "Although
I should have listed the money, I decided that essentially including
only the borrowing from Aimek would be sufficient."
Kyuma served as Defense Agency director general in two cabinets:
Hashimoto's and Abe's. In Jan. 2007, he became the first defense
minister (when the agency was upgraded to ministry level). He
resigned in July after making a remark that the atom bombing of
Japan "could not have been helped."
DONOVAN